E-File Federal and State Tax Extension Online For Free (Updated 2020)

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Updated for 2020. This year, the deadline for federal tax filing is Wednesday, April 15th, 2020. If you file for an extension before that date, you can extend the time allowed to file your return by six months to Thursday, October 15, 2020. It does not extend the time to pay any tax due, although due to the coronavirus the IRS has extended the tax payment deadline by 90 days for everyone. There are many legitimate reasons to ask for such an extension, and the extension is granted automatically without needing to provide a specific reason.

The penalty for late filing is many times higher than the penalty for late payment! If you are not 100% sure you can file in time, file for an extension.

Here’s how to e-File a federal and state tax extension for free. (State extension where available.) I have done a dry run with each option. Advantages of using e-File include:

You receive confirmation of receipt via e-mail or text, often within hours.

The potential convenience of filing your state tax extension online at the same time.

Option #1: TaxACT

This is how I usually do my extension because they include state as well. Tax prep software TaxACT.com allows you to e-File your Federal and State extension (where applicable) for free through them. You don’t need to actually use them to file your taxes later, although you certainly can.

Directions
First, register for free at TaxACT.com with your e-mail address and pick a password if you haven’t previously. Next, if you wish to perform a state tax extension, you must go to the “State” menu option on the left and add the appropriate state tax return. You don’t need to fill it out, just add it so they know what state you are filing for. Some states don’t even require a separate filing, but TaxAct supports the electronic filing of extension forms for the following states:

Arizona

California

District of Columbia

Kentucky

Louisiana

Maryland

Massachusetts

New Jersey

North Carolina

Pennsylvania

Tennessee

Texas

To go directly to the extension form, click on the “Filing” tab on the left menu, and then the “File Extension” link right below it. You will be able to choose whether to file extension for Federal, State, or both. You will then be guided through the Form 4868 in a question-and-answer format. TaxACT will file the form electronically for you (or you can print and snail mail).

TaxACT also provides a tax liability estimator to help you determine if you need to make a payment with your extension. If you fill out more details in the main software, then the estimate will be improved. If you don’t think you’ll owe any taxes, you can just put down zero as your expected tax liability. If you wish to make a tax payment, you will be able to choose to pay with direct withdrawal from a bank account (account and routing numbers required) or pay with a credit card (IRS fees apply).

Afterward, you can confirm the status of your extension e-file by going to efstatus.taxact.com. They will even send you a confirmation via e-mail or text message. I got my confirmation less than 3 hours after submission.

Option #2: TurboTax

TurboTax.com also allows you to file a Federal extension online for free after signing up for a free account. They are rather vague on state tax extensions, stating that they will only show the state extension option where available after you have completed the majority of your state return. (Doesn’t this kind of defeat the purpose?) After logging in, look for the big search box on the top right and type in the keyword “extend” to be directed to their extension section.

It will walk you through the information needed for Form 4868. Again, if you don’t think you’ll owe any taxes, you can just put down zero as your expected tax liability. If you wish to make a tax payment, you will be able to choose to pay with direct withdrawal from a bank account (account and routing numbers required) or pay with a credit card (IRS fees apply).

According to the Turbotax website, you should receive a confirmation email from the IRS within 48 hours of filing the extension.

Option #3: Free File Fillable Forms

As the name suggests, FreeFileFillableForms.com is another privately-run site (now owned by Intuit!) that allows you to fill out Federal IRS forms online, for free. They are basically the exact same paper forms that the IRS would provide you, with no additional guidance or assistance. State tax extensions are not included.

For some reason, they make you create a new account every year. After you’re signed in, on the top left of Form 1040 you should see an icon with the label “File an Extension”.

This will bring up Form 4868. Click around the form to fill the boxes out. As above, you’ll need to estimate your total tax liability, but since this is just an online version of the form so there is no guidance included. You can request your estimated tax payment to be withdrawn electronically by supplying your bank’s routing and account numbers. For identification purposes, you’ll need your adjusted gross income (AGI) from your previous year tax return.

Bottom line. There are many options to e-file your tax extension for free. Confirmation is usually provided within 48 hours, as opposed to having to worry about if your paper form got snail-mailed to the IRS successfully. Filing an extension only extends the time to file your return and does not extend the time to pay any tax due. To avoid late payment penalties and interest you must estimate what tax will be due and pay that when you file the extension. However, the penalty for late filing is many times higher than the penalty for late payment. If you are not 100% sure you can file in time, file for an extension.

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Comments

I’ve never understood the benefit of an extension. Taxes are very easy to do (especially with TaxAct) and after receiving all my forms in January, I have 3 months to complete the forms, file and pay. As I understand it, you still have to pre-pay taxes when filing an extension or else pay a fee.
So what benefit do I have for filing the extension, besides the buzz of procrastination for a few more months?

“As I understand it, you still have to pre-pay taxes when filing an extension or else pay a fee. So what benefit do I have for filing the extension, besides the buzz of procrastination for a few more months?”

Well, of course you’re better off filing on time than extending. But if you are not able to get your taxes properly done in time, then you need to file an extension and pay your estimated taxes. Otherwise you will be fined a penalty.

There are a lot of people who have complicated tax returns. Many people received K-1’s for various investments they have. Many of the companies responsible for issuing these K-1’s don’t get them done and out to everyone by April 15th. If you don’t have all the correct paperwork, you cannot accurately prepare and file your taxes. So that is why many people file extensions. Of course, some people are lazy and put it off, but that is not the main reason for extensions.

Let’s not forget that the IRS has a phone number (toll-free) where you can call and get the extension automatically. As for the state taxes, at least in my state you can mail in the extension request once you have called the IRS. All free except the $0.45 stamp.

I file an extension every year. I own two businesses. Both of them are busiest in Q1, so I have no time to get my stuff together by April 15. Making sure I’m profitable around that time is too important to me. And I can’t file my individual extension until my business taxes are done. Thus, my reason for the extension. And I know a lot of other biz owners who do the same thing.

Good luck calling the IRS phone number! It’s impossible to get someone on during the busiest time of the year.

e-filing it thru a website is worth it. That confirmation from the IRS is a must. I trust that more than I do sending something in the mail these days.

Harish,
I think that number was disconnected 2 years ago. Now, if you want to us the phone you have to call Official Payments or Link2Gov. The can extend on the phone, but only if you make a tax payment through their service, and they charge a “convenience fee” of 2.5% of what you owe.

Even if you extend, it is still worth paying as much as possible to avoid late payment penalities. Extension does not mean no taxes due,. Also to the previous commenter, you need to submit a form which you can only do online or via mail.

Jonathan, Thanks for a useful website. I used TaxAct to file extension. I have not received any mail/communication. Should I expect any communication from IRS or is there place to verify that the extension has been approved. Thanks in advance

That’s nice if Adam doesn’t need an extension but I wonder why he cares that some of us do. Just cuz taxes are easy FOR YOU, Adam, please don’t assume it’s the same for everyone.

What really surprises me is that Harrish 2x mentions this IRS phone number but doesn’t actually give it.

Here’s my experience with Turbo Tax this year.
I click on a link at my bank’s web site for Turbo Tax.
I select the ‘free” file online option.
I select “file an extension”
I fill out all the highly confidential info required for an extension (SS#, AGI for ’08) when I’m done and want to send the extension, THEN TURBO TAX TELLS ME IT COST $10!!!!!
I’m not objecting that it was apparently free last year and now isn’t. I’m not objecting that they charge $10. BUT THEY DON’T TELL YOU IT COSTS UNTIL YOU’RE READY TO SEND.
I used to use Turbo Tax in the past. No way after this. What an incredibly bad way to treat people.
Good-bye, TT.

Thanks for this article. I went the FreeForm route and while it was a pain in the ass to basically re-type the whole 1040 after already completing one on H&R Block, I was able to file the extension. Your tutorial helped.

Greg, same thing here: did what I could of my return on H&R Block online, but filed my extension via FreeFile Forms. It WAS a bit unclear until I read their FAQ on extensions. You only had to complete the FIRST section of the main return (name, address, SS#, etc.). That’s all the extension form imports. So it’s not all bad.

One other point of confusion is after you file the extension it tells you it filed your return. They didn’t bother re-scripting the confirmation or e-mail notification to be extension-specific.

I did the TaxAct thing for an extension. We won’t owe anything, so I didn’t have to estimate. It took less than five minutes and appears that it has gone through, although I haven’t gotten confirmation yet. State filing with TaxAct this year is $17.95, not $13.95 as the original poster stated.

I keep trying to submit my extension using TaxAct but have been unsuccessful (I am out of the country). I am never able to reach the step where I must click “Submit”. Am I missing something? I have tried to get an answer from customer service but they keep sending me copy and pasted responses from the website. Very frustrated. Any help would be appreciated.

@Amy – Can you tell me where exactly did you get stuck? I just filed my extension today (March 31st) with TaxAct again just in case, even though I am pretty sure I’ll file in time. I just went through the questions in order, without any problems. This year, they offered to text me when my e-file is accepted electronically.

Thanks!
I was already on the FreeFile Fillable Forms site, but needed your help in pointing out that I must select a form to file before the “File an Extension” button became available!
Also thanks fo rlinking to the state extension forms.

“”Yo Adam, you must really have a simple life, to not be able to understand the need for an extension. And if you dont need one
because your so ‘on time’ why are you making comments, or even
looking at a web page that is about filing a tax extension. (more
proof of your simple life) so good luck when things get complex.

Oh my Goodness! I never leave comments but I am seriously so grateful for your (WORKING!) information that I must give you kudos! I was in tears after I realized I was missing information for my *last minute* tax preparation. I found it VERY difficult and frustrating to file an extension except through your instructions with TaxAct. Lovely and Helpful- thanks!
Cheers!

Thanks for explaining the details of these options, Jonathan. I had planned to use Free File Fillable Forms this year but then found out it requires MS Silverlight installed — which doesn’t work on my slightly older model PC.

So, I ended up using the trusted old method of paper-filing a Form 4868 again. Call me slightly crazy, but it’s probably safer anyway than having a third party store a comprehensive set of my personal and financial information online (at least Free File Fillable Forms purges their online database once a year, I think).

Besides, I’d probably still have been at the point of figuring out how to create my e-file PIN at the time I had the completed, printed 4868 ready to go in an envelope. 🙂

I have been trying free fillable forms for 2 days trying to fill extension. First, I cannot print, an error msg continues to appear saying they are having problems. Today, I decided to file it anyhow without printing. It then said I could not efile because it wasn’t tax season. Is there a date that they begin accepting extensions? So frustrating…

The instructions say to use the paper form if you intend to paper file, but really, it doesn’t matter. It doesn’t preclude you from e-filing. Hopefully this will make things easier for people. You do have to estimate your tax and pay it. But if the software or online filing is giving you trouble, just print out the form (at IRS site) and be done with it.

If you owe money to your state, you will need to look up the state form. For many states, a Federal extension means an automatic state extension, but you will have to check your state. & if taxes are due, you still need to pay the taxes to your state, by 4/15.

I’m trying to follow Your instructions to efilefile an extension, and cannot even get past step 1, which is to sign in and create an account. There is nowhere to do that, and I’ve used your link and then tried every other link that made sense, and nowhere is there the option of signing in ANYWHERE.

@Sydney – I’m not sure I understand what your difficulty is. Are you using the TaxAct link above and don’t see the “Register Now” section? You need to register for an account with TaxAct, and then efile the extension for free.

So many things come together in the spring. Spring cleaning, which my wife wants me to participate, and it is just getting nice out and I want to go out and play. I forget the rest, but there are always ten things to do starting March or April.
I always file for an extension, then I can do the taxes anytime.

For any of those last minute folks I used the TurboTax free extension option. Originally my CD version just told me to print and send in, but the free option was a lot simpler. Just use the following link and it just gets you a simple Form 4868 to fill in.

Just wanted to say THANK YOU! Forgot that H&R would charge add’l $19.95 (plus tax) for Fed extension… What… I didn’t pay enough for your program??? So did a search & found your suggestion for TaxACT free extension filing. Created an account at about 11:42 PM on 4/15/13 & was done filing with five minutes to spare! And this on an OLD PC with dial-up connection! FYI, you can file NYS 6 month extension online for free, but NYS doesn’t make it too easy to find the link. They will probably change the page by next year, but here it is anyway:http://www.tax.ny.gov/e-services/pext/
P.S. Thanks for the visual aid & tips, they really helped!

Hi, thanks for your web help. I couldn’t e-file my f4868 extension. I am non resident alien and I haven’t SSN or ITIN number because I am only one of the four partners of a Series LLC started on February 2013 (Real estate investment objective) that has 4 more LLC Series cells, all without earnings by rents yet (Only some gross income of about $2,000.- vs greater expenses). So, I couldn’t file personally for an extension because I haven’t SSN neither ITIN and TaxAct (like other companies) requires SSN. Neither I could’t file for an extension for the Series LLC because it has EIN number but not SSN number. The online extension software of the tax companies associated are not flexible and don’t permit nothing outside the SSN number. I could fill easy the f4868.pdf but the IRS hasn’t an email for send it. How can I do. Today is deadline April 15, 2014. However I think we have more time because of two reasons: 1) We are outside the US and we are non resident aliens. 2) We haven’t earnings yet. We and my sons (my partners) look for saving money with the tax preparation but we don’t know if we need to file for the Series LLC or for each of us like persons individually. Neither We know if, in the case must file for the Series LLC we need also to file for each LLC series cell (They haven’t EIN numbers yet). Help will be welcome. Thanks. (Sorry for my bad english).

I opened a s corp in Sept. of 2010 and only had to file a short return. due to an equipment list I had to compile for deductions and depreciation purposes my taxes for 2010 and 2011 were filed early in 2012. It seems that the federal and state lost my 2010 return. I signed file paper work with accountant for what I believe was both returns. He told me that he could not e file the 2010 because it either wasn’t offered or we had missed the window…but the 2011 was filed successfully the same time. Needless to say this was recently brought to my attention (today)…2 1/2 years after the business has closed and I have some heavy penalties to contend with. Is this the truth about e filing and certain windows of time…or is this guy jerking me around because he dropped the ball??? If anyone could help with the filing rules in 2012…that would be awesome!! Thanks

thank you so much for the simple yet detailed guide! i am doing my return through h & r block so i went with your 3rd option, free file forms. it was quick and simple and i am relieved to have it completed in time.

You don’t need to file tax extension form 4868 if you make a payment using our electronic payment options. The IRS will automatically process an extension of time to file when you pay part or all of your estimated income tax electronically. You can pay online or by phone (see page 3). https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f4868.pdf You can pay online with a direct transfer from your bank account using Direct Pay, the Electronic Federal Tax Payment System, or by debit or credit card. You can also pay by phone using the Electronic Federal Tax Payment System or by debit or credit card. For more information, go to ww.irs.gov/Payments. Confirmation number. You’ll receive a confirmation number when you pay online or by phone. Enter the confirmation number below and keep it for your records.

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